November 19, 2008

Theo Calls AJ Burnett's Agent

clear sign that the Red Sox are ready to jump into the fray and compete with Toronto, the New York Yankees and several other clubs ... Newsday reported Tuesday that the Red Sox are now "fully engaged," and a source told ESPN.com that the team considers Burnett a "priority."

"They've got a lot of balls in the air," the source said of the Red Sox, "but they're involved now."

Perhaps.

Burnett, who signed a 5/55 deal with Toronto after the 2005 season, opted out of his deal with 2/24 remaining. He is probably looking for something like 4/60. Some people are ga-ga over his 18 wins last year, but his 4.07 ERA earned him a 105 ERA+ -- Tim Wakefield turned in a 112. Burnett had career highs in starts and innings pitched, but he also had a career-worst WHIP.

There have been rumours of Wakefield considering retirement. Even if that is true, I still don't think the club should throw 15 million per year at a guy with Burnett's numbers -- when he's healthy.

I think we're all missing a much larger issue here: how did Patrick capitalize his name? As soon as I saw it, I knew something seemed wrong.

Oh, yeah, and I wouldn't want to sign either, but if it's Burnett vs. Lowe, I vote AJ. I'm a sucker for higher-upside-but-riskier moves, I guess. Plus he's younger, and has been pitching in the AL east these last years.

Given AJ's history, he's a contract-year pitcher and one of questionable health, which does make signing him very risky. He's more likely to end up being another Carl Pavano type disaster than being a valuable pitcher for four years.